The Contribution of the Brain-Gut Axis to the Human Reward System

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gastroenterology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• The human reward network processes satisfaction and pleasure-seeking behaviors.
• Impairments in reward processing are linked to various medical and psychiatric conditions.
• The brain-gut axis is increasingly recognized for its role in neurophysiological pathways, including reward processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review research on the brain-gut axis's contribution to the human reward system.
• To explore the role of enteric neuropeptides and gut microbiota in reward processing.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating the brain-gut axis and reward processing.
• Analysis of research on neuropeptides (ghrelin, PYY3-36, GLP-1) and gut microbiota.

Main Results:

• Enteric neuropeptides modulate food, alcohol, and non-food reward processing, balancing homeostatic and hedonic needs.
• Gut microbiota and metabolites are associated with reward system architecture and activation in obesity and ADHD.
• Bariatric surgery impacts hedonic eating by altering gut microbiota composition.

Conclusions:

• The brain-gut axis significantly influences the human reward system.
• Findings suggest novel pathophysiological mechanisms for reward-processing impairments.
• This research delineates a framework for potential therapeutic interventions targeting the brain-gut axis.